Some more pics from Sunday...

Mummy completed her first half marathon this morning.

Woza what a day, I woke with a funny tummy not sure at first if it was a tummy bug or nerves for what lie ahead of me today (it was nerves). At 9.45am my eldest brother, Carl and I crossed the start line for the Sussex Beacon Half Marathon. Route - into the Lanes in Brighton back to the seafront to the marina, down to Hove Lagoon, back to the marina finishing by the Palace Pier - 13.1 miles. Weather: heavy rain and strong winds the whole time.

Carl and I crossed the start line together and then ran on our own, the start was harsh I found it really hard for the first mile and then I got into. As we went though the Lanes a man cut in front of another and about three fell to the floor and I jumped over them so I didnt end up on top of the pile but as I did I felt something pull on the inside of my right thigh, it was to niggle the rest of the way. I ran with my ipod and had a good run but the hardest part was running down to the Lagoon where the wind and rain was at its strongest and I could bearly see in front of me. I promised myself that I would run till at least the 10 mile mark (Hove Angel) but changed that until I got to Jo which was buy the pier. I didnt end up walking until just after 11 miles and that was only for a minute. I met a girl whilst walking and we encouraged each other on and then met up with Carl who was in front. He was lagging and I was full of energy and encouraged him to go on and then suddenly it swapped it was me lagging and him encouraging me. We both crossed the finish line in 2hrs 23 minutes.

Our supporters, well what can I say other than I have the best family. My sister jo, nieces Cala and Beckie, my mum and Andy stood in the pouring rain for three hours waiting for us to start and then cheering us on. Seeing my sister standing there with a helium balloon yelling her head off really got me through the race. They were all there at the finish line which was fantastic. Carl and I had our timing chips taken, received our foil blankets , medals and a couple of bananas. Murphy then came to the resue and picked us up to go to Jo's for the best shower and a great lunch. I dont think we have ever been so wet in our lives, we were all completely drenched from head to toe, including underwear!

Big THANK YOU to my mum, Beckie and the Ireland's for your support today and to my bro Carl for doing it with me. Love ya all. xxxxx

Unofrtunately not the most flattering photos of me below!

The poorly household

Unfortunately the rest of half term was not great for the Parker household as the little people were poorly. Sam came down with it Wednesday evening, high temp, cold etc and then Daisy on Sat morning. We did manage to fit in a visit to soft play Friday morning and had a tea/playdate Friday afternoon but it all went downhill from there. Tim and I have not had a great nights sleep for three nights! Saturday I was very lucky and managed to escape the sick house and go to London with my friend Sarah for some retail therapy. We had a great day, lunch at Selfridges, lots of shopping and then afternoon tea before heading home. Carl and Becky then came down ready for the big race today. We had a carb and protein dinner and then it was off to bed for all for what turned out to be another broken night for Tim and I.

Gotta love pancake day!

It's half term...

The half term holidays started off very magical today as the fairies were in Daisy's room. If you look at the bottom right of her picture above her bed there is a pink glow, we can only presume it was the fairies (it was actually the sun rising through the window and reflecting off a shiny pink box on her shelves) but the little people were beside themselves with excitement. I said that the fairies had come to check on their behaviour (as both have become a little cheeky the past few weeks and started to argue with each other) and boy has it worked a treat.

We had a day at home today, doing stuff round the house, running errands etc and I could not have had two more helpful children if I wanted. Thank you fairies.

Family Valentine's Day

Well the day didnt start great as Daddy woke up feeling poorly and rather sorry for himself. After decamping him to the sofa I managed to get out of the door to gor a run and felt quite pleased with myself as made it to the marina! Quick peep round the car and then put the call in for a pick up as it had started to snow... it was sunny when I left! Daddy, Daisy and Nanny Maureen then went off to church whilst Sam and I prepared a Roast Chicken feast for lunch, our little fella loves cooking and was very pleased that he had the job of rolling the stuffing balls.

Grandad and Nanny Anne also joined us for lunch, after our feast Nanny Maureen took Sam to the model exhibition at the Brighton Centre which Sam loved. Daddy and Daisy hung out in front of the tv although Daisy did manage to get some of her school work done, grandad went for band practice and Nanny Anne and I made the pattern and first chair cover for Tea Cups and Tiaras (more to come about T&T). A big THANK YOU to the Nanny's today, Nanny Maureen for giving Sam such a fantastic afternoon and Nanny Anne for all her help with the chair cover.

Valentine's did not go unnoticed my lovely man had treated me to some Agent Provocateur underwear and some flowers in the week and he received a lovely new shirt from me and a delicious bit of 'sexton blake' (steak) on Friday evening. The little people had been getting chocolate love bugs and hearts in their lunch boxes during the week. So we were all spoiled!

Where has the week gone?

I just dont know where the days seem to go at the moment. Today the Parker girls had a day together and the Parker boys had a day together. The girls went to the movies to see Princess and the Frog with some of Daisy's school friends and their mum's and on for a pizza for lunch before a quick look round the shops. The boys well they did a number of activities, breakfast at Nan and Grandads, a walk on the beach, biking, playing football, on the trampalin, skateboarding and then finally swimming.

Yesterday, Friday was the last day of term and boy are we ready for some lazy days without having to be out of the door by 8.30am each morning. Daisy is shattered as she has had such a busy week, Lets Dance practice on Monday, Football on Tuesday, Disco Dancing on Wednesday and the school disco on Thursday - all after school activities. Sam is still being his musical little self and has been saying he would like a guitar so we got him a small childrens one and boy does he love it. He got given it around 2pm and he did not stop playing right up until the time we left to pick Daisy up and was back on it as soon as we got home, it is amazing how musical out little fella is.

Thursday was the school disco, Daisy loves it as all her friends are there with their mummy's. It was fancy dress and she decided to go as bat girl so she could still wear her party dress - good thinking little lady.

Tuesday we had a visit from Cala wala woo woo as the Parker's like to call her. She came bearing beautiful cakes for us all but also the sad news that she has a very poorly shoulder and is in constant pain and will not be able to do the half marathon with me on the 21st Feb. It was really sad as one I dont like to see her in pain but two she has worked so hard on her training its just not fair.

Is it going to lay?

The weather didnt know what it was doing today, one minute it was snowing the next minute the sun was out and it was all gone.

Sam came home from playgroup on his scooter and it was so cold he had his wooly hat on which made is hair mad and the cold made his cheeks so red.

Loads of chairs, baking, gardening and endless housework...

Wowza its been a busy day! After school drop I was informed that I could have 40 chairs for my new business venture but had to take them straight away so the first job of the day was to lug 40 chairs to the car, load them, drive home, unload them and try to fit them in our shed until needed. It was then a few hours of house work before picking the little fella up. Sam is really keen on cooking so we baked some cookies and banana bread for when Daisy came home. We then picked the little lady up and as it was such a fine day we spent the last few hours of day light playing and tidying up the garden. The little people enjoyed having a pretend bbq, mind you I wasnt so keen on the menu fried eggs and peas!

Daisy had to make snow box scene at home for her school project

The little fella baking

We love getting parcels in the post

On Friday Daisy and Samuel received a parcel in the post, there was much excitement about what it could be. It was their Christmas presents from Kelly and Jay, they both loved their hats so a big THANK YOU to cousin Jay and Kelly. xx We miss seeing you. xx

It's been a long time....

Firstly sorry for not updating, thank you for your emails of concern but the Parker's are fine just a little manic right now! Daddy has just got back from two weeks snowboarding in France, he went to a snowboard camp and had a fantastic time, we might let me crash the blog and put some photos up soon. The little people and I stayed at home although it was just as cold here and we had even more snow than the week before. We were busy with school, playgroup, parties, playdates and me working.

I was away with work last week doing an event and I am also run off my feet as whilst looking after the little people, freelancing, training for a marathon and running a house I am also setting up a new business - we are not quite ready to go public yet but we will be ready to go live at the beginning of March. So that is what we have been up too!!!!

Some pics that were taken when Daddy was away, you may be wondering why the dining table but I was meant to post this to show Tim the new chairs I had bought whilst he was away!